Image processing method and image processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image processing method including at least one of recording an image onto a thermoreversible recording medium in which transparency or color tone reversibly changes depending upon temperature, by applying a laser beam with the use of a semiconductor laser device so as to heat the thermoreversible recording medium, and erasing an image recorded on the thermoreversible recording medium, by heating the thermoreversible recording medium, wherein an intensity distribution of the laser beam applied in the image recording step satisfies the relationship represented by Expression 1 shown below, 1.20≦ I 1 /I 2 ≦1.29  Expression 1 where I 1 denotes an irradiation intensity of the applied laser beam in a central position of the applied laser beam, and I 2 denotes an irradiation intensity of the applied laser beam on a plane corresponding to 95% of the total irradiation energy of the applied laser beam.

1. An image processing method comprising:
 at least one of recording an image onto a thermoreversible recording medium in which transparency or color tone reversibly changes depending upon temperature, by applying a laser beam with the use of a semiconductor laser device so as to heat the thermoreversible recording medium, and 
 erasing an image recorded on the thermoreversible recording medium, by heating the thermoreversible recording medium, 
 wherein an intensity distribution of the laser beam applied in the image recording step satisfies the relationship represented by Expression 1 shown below,
   1.20 ≦I   1   /I   2 ≦1.29  Expression 1
 
 
 where I 1  denotes an irradiation intensity of the applied laser beam in a central position of the applied laser beam, and I 2  denotes an irradiation intensity of the applied laser beam on a plane corresponding to 95% of the total irradiation energy of the applied laser beam. 
 
     
     
       2. The image processing method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of erasing an image is carried out by applying a laser beam so as to heat the thermoreversible recording medium. 
     
     
       3. The image processing method according to  claim 1 , wherein the thermoreversible recording medium comprises at least a support, and a thermoreversible recording layer over the support; and the transparency or color tone of the thermoreversible recording layer reversibly changes at a first specific temperature and at a second specific temperature higher than the first specific temperature. 
     
     
       4. The image processing method according to  claim 3 , wherein the thermoreversible recording layer contains a resin and a low-molecular organic material. 
     
     
       5. The image processing method according to  claim 3 , wherein the thermoreversible recording layer contains a leuco dye and a reversible developer. 
     
     
       6. The image processing method according to  claim 1 , wherein the thermoreversible recording medium contains a photothermal conversion material. 
     
     
       7. The image processing method according to  claim 6 , wherein a thermoreversible recording layer contains the photothermal conversion material. 
     
     
       8. The image processing method according to  claim 6 , wherein the photothermal conversion material is a phthalocyanine compound. 
     
     
       9. The image processing method according to  claim 1 , being used for at least one of recording an image onto a moving object and erasing an image from the moving object. 
     
     
       10. The image processing method according to  claim 1 , wherein said plane corresponds to a horizontal dividing plane that divides a three-dimensional representation of the irradiation intensity of the irradiated laser beam, such that 95% of the total irradiation energy of the irradiated laser beam is present between said horizontal dividing plane and a plane corresponding to a surface of the thermoreversible recording medium.